Is it advised for an aging parent to live at home? Well, it depends. Our homes offer enough comfort to us, alongside familiarity and feelings of being secured. So having the elderly to keep living with you feels good, right?
Considering if the home environment is a safe place for the elderly is a crucial factor to consider. Use our list below to assess your parents’ living situation and ensure their safety while aging at home.
1. Get Rid Of Fall Hazards
Falls are the top cause of injuries amongst elderlies. To minimize all risks and promote a safe home for elderlies, the aged care provider from arcare.com.au says one of the most common and important things to be done is to make the home free from fall accidents. The following are ideas on how to do just that:
- Get rid of throw rugs: These rugs may be decorative to your home, but they lack a better grip on the floor.
- Clean up clutter: This implies getting rid of piled-up clothing and newspapers.
- Remove old and weak furniture.
- Provide an open environment: This would have been easier done if the elderly are still walking rather than moving with the aid of a wheelchair. In this case, doors should be wide enough to allow safe passage.
Also, ensure your elderly don’t put on slip footwears.
2. Provide Easy Access To Emergency Numbers
Cell phones should have more bells and whistles and also consider a primary model. Elderlies may find a variety of options very confusing and unnecessary. Make sure the cell phone has larger keypads and a clear display. This will make it easier for them to press and see.
You could also place a call display feature on your telephone, making it easier for the elderly to easily differentiate if an incoming call Is from a family member or stranger. Elderly brains may not remember emergency information, so make it easier for them by placing a note written in bold letters.
3. Ensure A Fire Free Environment
Ensuring a safe home for elderlies also means getting rid of fire hazards. Replace the batteries of detectors regularly. Cross-check the cords of all appliances in your home, and change damaged cords and minimize the number of cords that are plugged into power at the same time.
Get rid of candles from home. If candles are left to burn and not attended to, it is likely to cause a fire accident. If there is a present fire incident, remind the elderly to lay low when leaving home to minimize smoke inhalation. Also, coach them on how to handle a situation whereby their clothes ignite.
4. Ensure The Bathroom Is Safe
The bathroom is considered to be the most hazardous place in an elderly home. Falls and slips usually happen there. To ensure that an elderly is safe in the bathroom, consider following these steps:
- Place or install a grip bar in the shower area and beside the toilet seater.
- Customize the thermostat yourself not to go above 120° to avoid hot water burns.
- Install rubber mats in the shower to avoid slips or falls during the bath.
- Provide a handheld shower, and this will ease baths for elderlies significantly when trying to clean hardly reachable body parts.
- Remove the initial toilet seater and replace it with a raised seater with handles. The toilet seat height should range within 17-19 inches, making it easier for elderlies to sit and stand comfortably.
- If there’s a bathroom mirror, remove it. If an elderly shows symptoms of dementia, getting to see an unfamiliar face standing behind them could be horrific.
Place a nightlight in the bathroom, significantly for elderlies who are likely to visit the bathroom frequently at night. Also, place a nightlight or two on the pathway to the bathroom for the elderly to find their way.
5. Pay Attention To Lighting
Elderly eyes are weak and may not be effective as they used to. Elderlies may be scared or avoid dark areas at home. Always look out for worn-out light bulbs, and install new ones.
Consider installing motion detection lights in and out of the home. Test the lighting by standing at a corner and looking across the room. Are you able to see clear pathways? Otherwise, brighten up the room with more light bulbs.
6. Don’t Forget The Kitchen
The kitchen can be the most visited area in a home; therefore, you should spend enough time making this area very safe for the elderly. Remove items that are stored in heights and place them where they are easily reachable.
7. The Stairs Are Also Important
Ensure you test the stair railing. In this case, there’s no need to be a handyman to do it. Just simply grip the rail and shake it forth and backward. If the railings shake, even a slight, it calls for fixing. Fix all nuts, or you could replace the railing.
This whole guide may seem to be a long to-do list for you to ensure your elderly safety. Choose a part to start with or share the task among family members. By ensuring your elderly’s safety, you also guarantee the happiness of the seniors at home. And this makes for fewer issues to worry about in the long term!
